WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480
 I am going to be finishing up James chapter 1, verse 19, all the way through.

00:00:07.299 --> 00:00:10.919
 But by way of introduction, probably most of you guys are already familiar with this.

00:00:10.919 --> 00:00:12.780
 It's a very famous passage talking about listening.

00:00:13.780 --> 00:00:20.460
 But before I get into it, I just wanted to give a little bit of my background on this passage.

00:00:21.219 --> 00:00:26.080
 This has been a topic, listening, that's been extremely pertinent in our marriage.

00:00:26.079 --> 00:00:35.739
 But also, just by way of me being stubborn and bullheaded, I actually went to school for counseling and life coaching.

00:00:36.079 --> 00:00:43.259
 And an enormous amount of the time that I spent was in practicing and learning to be a good listener.

00:00:44.019 --> 00:00:48.379
 For which, the day I got married, I completely discarded.

00:00:49.459 --> 00:00:54.159
 And we had really knocked down drag-out fights for the first few years.

00:00:54.159 --> 00:00:57.079
 And it was actually the Lord's grace.

00:00:57.619 --> 00:01:05.560
 A couple of our really good friends were sharing with us some of the things that they have learned when they were doing marriage counseling that were really helpful for them.

00:01:05.840 --> 00:01:12.719
 And one of them was a little listening exercise where one person has the responsibility of listening while the other person speaks.

00:01:13.019 --> 00:01:13.799
 And then it switches.

00:01:14.500 --> 00:01:16.000
 And you take turns listening.

00:01:16.159 --> 00:01:17.640
 You take turns prioritizing listening.

00:01:17.719 --> 00:01:20.679
 You essentially take turns prioritizing what the scripture is about to tell us.

00:01:20.680 --> 00:01:25.200
 Now, the ironic thing was, I actually already knew all of this stuff.

00:01:25.980 --> 00:01:28.740
 And I'd already practiced all of this stuff, especially with my friends.

00:01:28.960 --> 00:01:34.920
 But in the context of marriage, I had very little desire or patience to implement what I had already learned.

00:01:34.920 --> 00:01:41.460
 But by that point, we both started practicing and practicing listening to one another.

00:01:41.599 --> 00:01:43.320
 And we were able to resolve our fights.

00:01:43.480 --> 00:01:51.280
 And in general, we've gotten better over the years at resolving fights to the point that many people, when they do come to us for counsel in marriage,

00:01:51.439 --> 00:02:00.579
 the main thing we spend time doing is trying to help them learn to prioritize listening rather than winning their arguments.

00:02:00.579 --> 00:02:06.019
 Okay, I say all that to say, this week, I'm preaching on this topic.

00:02:06.319 --> 00:02:09.479
 On Thursday, we got in a huge knockdown drag out fight.

00:02:10.039 --> 00:02:12.879
 And it fundamentally was because I was refusing to listen.

00:02:13.340 --> 00:02:15.180
 I was fundamentally defending myself.

00:02:15.259 --> 00:02:22.579
 I was fundamentally refusing to listen, even to the point that I knew I wasn't listening and aware that I was preaching on this on Sunday.

00:02:22.819 --> 00:02:24.840
 And she brought it up and I still didn't.

00:02:24.840 --> 00:02:30.580
 All that to say, I am not the all the time exemplar of these things.

00:02:31.420 --> 00:02:36.159
 A lot of these things are easier to say than they are to do.

00:02:36.539 --> 00:02:42.840
 And a lot of the reason that it makes it difficult to listen well is because the sacrifice that takes place in real time

00:02:42.840 --> 00:02:47.920
 in order to maintain a disposition that prioritizes listening to the other party rather than defending yourself.

00:02:48.819 --> 00:02:49.580
 Full disclosure.

00:02:51.199 --> 00:02:53.420
 Sometimes I do a decent job at this.

00:02:53.560 --> 00:02:54.800
 Sometimes I do a decent job.

00:02:54.840 --> 00:02:55.080
 I do a decent job at this.

00:02:56.280 --> 00:03:00.080
 Anyway, I'm going to go ahead and read this first part and then we're going to keep on going.

00:03:01.200 --> 00:03:02.379
 Starting in verse 19.

00:03:02.780 --> 00:03:04.039
 Am I loud enough back there?

00:03:05.580 --> 00:03:05.980
 Louder?

00:03:07.159 --> 00:03:07.520
 Wow.

00:03:08.520 --> 00:03:10.960
 Man, I hope I can speak loud enough, you guys.

00:03:11.379 --> 00:03:11.699
 All right.

00:03:11.840 --> 00:03:12.379
 Just yell.

00:03:12.900 --> 00:03:14.020
 I think I just got to yell.

00:03:14.319 --> 00:03:14.800
 Go for it.

00:03:15.259 --> 00:03:16.319
 It's right here.

00:03:16.680 --> 00:03:17.080
 Wow.

00:03:17.539 --> 00:03:17.900
 Okay.

00:03:18.740 --> 00:03:19.640
 Verse 19.

00:03:20.360 --> 00:03:22.900
 Know this, my beloved brothers.

00:03:22.900 --> 00:03:26.560
 I love that he starts this by speaking of them as beloved.

00:03:27.000 --> 00:03:27.700
 It's an inclusion.

00:03:28.300 --> 00:03:30.200
 He's including them in relationship.

00:03:30.700 --> 00:03:33.159
 He's speaking to people who are in relationship to him.

00:03:33.200 --> 00:03:33.640
 My beloved.

00:03:34.000 --> 00:03:36.000
 Know this, my beloved brothers.

00:03:37.000 --> 00:03:43.740
 Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.

00:03:43.740 --> 00:03:46.460
 Just by way of priority, we're going to keep on going.

00:03:46.700 --> 00:03:56.540
 But by way of priority, he's saying, when you're in conversation, the most important thing, listen.

00:03:56.539 --> 00:04:03.400
 The lesser important things, getting your point across and defending yourself.

00:04:03.840 --> 00:04:08.120
 Which I'm saying, defending yourself as being equivalent, being slow to anger.

00:04:09.039 --> 00:04:10.159
 Why do we get angry?

00:04:11.399 --> 00:04:12.979
 Because we're trying to defend ourselves.

00:04:12.979 --> 00:04:13.659
 Okay?

00:04:14.199 --> 00:04:30.500
 So if we can decrease in importance, speaking, getting our own point across, defending, being quick to anger, and exalting, listening to the other party, there's something of a promise in this sequence.

00:04:30.860 --> 00:04:31.579
 I'll keep on going.

00:04:31.579 --> 00:04:37.180
 Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.

00:04:38.579 --> 00:04:43.740
 For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

00:04:44.419 --> 00:04:45.360
 What's he saying there?

00:04:47.759 --> 00:04:56.659
 When we are defensive and quick to anger, we are not being a catalyst of sanctification in the lives of other people.

00:04:56.860 --> 00:05:00.180
 We are being a hindrance to sanctification in the lives of other people.

00:05:00.560 --> 00:05:00.899
 Okay?

00:05:01.579 --> 00:05:03.699
 The scripture doesn't tell us not to be angry.

00:05:03.859 --> 00:05:05.819
 It says, be angry and sin not.

00:05:06.300 --> 00:05:08.879
 Or be slow to anger.

00:05:09.120 --> 00:05:10.579
 There is a time to defend.

00:05:11.139 --> 00:05:15.939
 Jesus was very angry when he cleared out the money changers in the temple.

00:05:18.120 --> 00:05:22.219
 They were desecrating the house of the Lord and required intervention.

00:05:23.019 --> 00:05:25.019
 There is a time to be anger.

00:05:25.379 --> 00:05:26.319
 To have anger.

00:05:27.180 --> 00:05:31.560
 According to this, though, we need to remember that when we extend anger to people,

00:05:31.560 --> 00:05:32.560
 maybe it's appropriate.

00:05:32.560 --> 00:05:34.120
 We are not sanctifying them.

00:05:34.800 --> 00:05:37.459
 Anger does not build up and sanctify a person.

00:05:37.740 --> 00:05:38.660
 It opposes them.

00:05:39.120 --> 00:05:40.100
 It crushes them.

00:05:40.100 --> 00:05:41.920
 I think it's similar to the law.

00:05:41.920 --> 00:05:48.400
 The law certainly points out our defects, but it does not help us in our sanctification at all.

00:05:48.900 --> 00:05:54.360
 When we extend anger, when we are quick to anger with people, we in no way are building them up.

00:05:54.360 --> 00:05:57.600
 I think we should remember this even for our own children.

00:05:57.600 --> 00:06:05.300
 You can facilitate compliance in other people that is not improving their character at all.

00:06:05.520 --> 00:06:06.860
 They're just scared of you.

00:06:06.860 --> 00:06:09.360
 They're just appeasing you while you're around.

00:06:10.080 --> 00:06:11.819
 There is nothing being sanctified here.

00:06:15.120 --> 00:06:18.240
 Anger does not produce the righteousness of God.

00:06:18.540 --> 00:06:19.600
 So I want you guys to hear here.

00:06:20.199 --> 00:06:22.600
 Anger does not produce the righteousness of God.

00:06:22.920 --> 00:06:25.860
 But I want to keep on going because there is something that produces fruit.

00:06:25.860 --> 00:06:28.340
 Next verse, verse 21.

00:06:28.680 --> 00:06:33.460
 Most people, I think there's a tendency with James to chop up his quotable quote verses too much

00:06:33.460 --> 00:06:35.520
 and not realize that they're all in continuity.

00:06:35.699 --> 00:06:36.759
 They're actually referring to each other.

00:06:37.060 --> 00:06:41.360
 This one especially, everyone knows, be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry.

00:06:41.699 --> 00:06:46.759
 But we tend to chop off the two verses that come right after it that provide more meaning in my opinion.

00:06:47.920 --> 00:06:48.319
 Verse 20.

00:06:48.420 --> 00:06:50.639
 For the anger of man does not produce righteousness of God.

00:06:50.639 --> 00:06:52.599
 Verse 21.

00:07:06.599 --> 00:07:08.379
 So again, he's talking about receiving again.

00:07:08.599 --> 00:07:09.379
 We're back to listening.

00:07:10.219 --> 00:07:11.120
 How should you listen?

00:07:12.399 --> 00:07:18.219
 By receiving with meekness the implanted word which is able to save your souls.

00:07:18.279 --> 00:07:19.779
 So now we are talking about sanctification.

00:07:19.779 --> 00:07:21.759
 We are talking about being saved from things.

00:07:22.379 --> 00:07:29.759
 There is a way both before the Lord and before other people that we can have a spirit of meekness and soft-heartedness

00:07:29.759 --> 00:07:34.699
 that if they happen to be telling us something that we actually need to change and repent in,

00:07:35.259 --> 00:07:37.839
 we are soft ground that that might produce fruit.

00:07:38.559 --> 00:07:43.639
 And if we might be in a position to extend something to them that they need to hear,

00:07:44.179 --> 00:07:48.819
 we have a disposition of listening and meekness that they would receive it better from us.

00:07:48.819 --> 00:07:50.920
 Make sense?

00:07:51.939 --> 00:08:00.319
 One of the big errors I think that we make in listening, let's say,

00:08:00.800 --> 00:08:04.000
 is believing that we are the rescuer,

00:08:04.480 --> 00:08:06.680
 believing that we are right,

00:08:07.079 --> 00:08:09.000
 and believing we already know.

00:08:09.699 --> 00:08:13.560
 These are all the opposite of meekness.

00:08:13.560 --> 00:08:19.600
 When we are approaching someone so as to listen to them,

00:08:20.160 --> 00:08:27.699
 I think it's of the utmost importance that we're viewing the Lord as His grace is eminent,

00:08:27.699 --> 00:08:32.960
 and that when we listen well to others,

00:08:33.200 --> 00:08:42.279
 we can extend something to them of gracious fellowship that sets them up to be able to hear from the Lord

00:08:42.279 --> 00:08:44.059
 and be extremely fruitful.

00:08:44.059 --> 00:08:48.319
 It is my experience.

00:08:50.119 --> 00:08:54.559
 There's many, many times when a person is having a very difficult time,

00:08:54.979 --> 00:08:59.179
 and you really take the time to listen to them,

00:08:59.339 --> 00:09:00.439
 listen to them well,

00:09:01.139 --> 00:09:03.439
 anticipating giving a bunch of counsel,

00:09:04.039 --> 00:09:05.859
 anticipating having to persuade them.

00:09:05.860 --> 00:09:09.379
 But when you give it some time,

00:09:10.159 --> 00:09:15.360
 you can see many people start untangling the knot that is themself

00:09:15.360 --> 00:09:18.820
 because they're in an environment where the Lord's grace is evident,

00:09:18.820 --> 00:09:20.419
 and they have the Holy Spirit,

00:09:20.480 --> 00:09:21.560
 and they can hear from the Lord themselves.

00:09:22.120 --> 00:09:23.340
 I would submit to you,

00:09:24.340 --> 00:09:27.000
 the most powerful outcome by way of conversation

00:09:27.000 --> 00:09:29.200
 is when a person just hears from the Lord.

00:09:29.200 --> 00:09:30.700
 Be that by you,

00:09:31.080 --> 00:09:32.379
 or be that by their own reflection,

00:09:32.740 --> 00:09:34.540
 or be that by the many different ways.

00:09:34.620 --> 00:09:35.140
 You know what I'm saying?

00:09:35.560 --> 00:09:38.500
 And I think that there is a meekness in conversation

00:09:38.500 --> 00:09:41.840
 that is anticipating the Lord revealing something

00:09:41.840 --> 00:09:43.560
 and us just being receptive,

00:09:44.040 --> 00:09:46.820
 and doesn't assume you're already right.

00:09:48.100 --> 00:09:51.060
 I think oftentimes we already assume we know and we're right.

00:09:52.000 --> 00:09:57.700
 So, I just want to give a couple of suggestions,

00:09:57.700 --> 00:10:00.300
 or by way of practice.

00:10:00.860 --> 00:10:03.440
 I think that one really good principle

00:10:03.440 --> 00:10:05.960
 as we're trying to grow in listening

00:10:05.960 --> 00:10:09.020
 is to,

00:10:11.580 --> 00:10:13.360
 especially in conflict.

00:10:13.520 --> 00:10:14.960
 I think actually this is what I would suggest.

00:10:15.460 --> 00:10:18.400
 When you are anticipating conflict or disagreement,

00:10:19.080 --> 00:10:20.820
 first and foremost,

00:10:21.379 --> 00:10:25.020
 planning on entering in with truly listening.

00:10:25.019 --> 00:10:27.939
 I really want to completely hear out the other side.

00:10:28.360 --> 00:10:28.740
 Number one.

00:10:29.460 --> 00:10:30.220
 Number two,

00:10:31.059 --> 00:10:33.779
 trying to limit your speaking.

00:10:34.279 --> 00:10:36.039
 This is the most important thing.

00:10:37.199 --> 00:10:39.639
 Try to limit your speaking

00:10:39.639 --> 00:10:41.639
 to questions,

00:10:42.179 --> 00:10:42.960
 and if you need,

00:10:43.179 --> 00:10:44.879
 reiterating what the other person said.

00:10:45.699 --> 00:10:46.819
 What do I mean by that?

00:10:46.820 --> 00:10:50.540
 When we prioritize listening

00:10:50.540 --> 00:10:52.680
 and ask good questions,

00:10:52.680 --> 00:10:55.000
 it helps a person divulge more.

00:10:55.420 --> 00:10:57.420
 It helps a person come more into the light.

00:10:58.460 --> 00:10:58.860
 And,

00:10:58.980 --> 00:11:00.879
 sometimes when we're exposed,

00:11:01.700 --> 00:11:02.980
 we can be naturally defensive

00:11:02.980 --> 00:11:03.920
 because of shame,

00:11:04.440 --> 00:11:06.920
 that when someone takes the time to reiterate,

00:11:07.480 --> 00:11:10.140
 it helps them lose their defensiveness.

00:11:10.720 --> 00:11:10.840
 Okay?

00:11:10.840 --> 00:11:12.840
 I believe

00:11:12.840 --> 00:11:15.100
 listening to a person

00:11:15.100 --> 00:11:18.000
 is something like

00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:19.840
 therapeutic anesthesia

00:11:20.440 --> 00:11:21.399
 for counsel.

00:11:21.820 --> 00:11:22.860
 What do I mean by that?

00:11:23.840 --> 00:11:24.820
 If you're

00:11:24.820 --> 00:11:26.259
 needing to replace

00:11:26.259 --> 00:11:27.879
 someone's heart,

00:11:29.080 --> 00:11:31.100
 we could anesthetize them

00:11:31.100 --> 00:11:33.060
 so that their body's totally limp

00:11:33.060 --> 00:11:34.460
 and we can be extremely surgical

00:11:34.460 --> 00:11:36.120
 and accurate,

00:11:36.920 --> 00:11:37.280
 careful,

00:11:37.279 --> 00:11:39.299
 or we could just go ahead

00:11:39.299 --> 00:11:40.419
 and like give it a run

00:11:40.419 --> 00:11:41.559
 while they're fully awake.

00:11:44.039 --> 00:11:44.799
 Old school.

00:11:45.259 --> 00:11:46.059
 Old school.

00:11:49.059 --> 00:11:51.419
 There is a way

00:11:51.419 --> 00:11:53.559
 of rearranging these priorities

00:11:53.559 --> 00:11:55.939
 where we approach

00:11:55.939 --> 00:11:57.179
 confrontation like that

00:11:57.179 --> 00:11:59.779
 thinking that it won't go any worse.

00:12:00.720 --> 00:12:02.220
 But it is my experience

00:12:02.220 --> 00:12:04.539
 that when you listen to people well

00:12:04.539 --> 00:12:06.360
 and they feel listened to,

00:12:06.360 --> 00:12:09.320
 you gain a level of trust

00:12:09.320 --> 00:12:10.779
 that when you go to speak,

00:12:10.940 --> 00:12:12.360
 they don't fight you on every point

00:12:12.360 --> 00:12:13.460
 because they feel like

00:12:13.460 --> 00:12:14.899
 they don't need to defend themselves.

00:12:15.419 --> 00:12:16.620
 You're essentially removing

00:12:16.620 --> 00:12:19.399
 the veil of self-defensiveness.

00:12:21.300 --> 00:12:21.980
 This is a,

00:12:22.100 --> 00:12:23.860
 the more important a disagreement is,

00:12:23.919 --> 00:12:25.039
 the more important this is.

00:12:25.379 --> 00:12:26.200
 Which is why

00:12:26.200 --> 00:12:27.519
 I would really recommend

00:12:27.519 --> 00:12:28.259
 if you feel like

00:12:28.259 --> 00:12:29.000
 you need to grow on this,

00:12:30.000 --> 00:12:31.539
 think of confrontations

00:12:31.539 --> 00:12:32.659
 or difficult conversations,

00:12:33.379 --> 00:12:34.080
 approach them

00:12:34.080 --> 00:12:35.519
 with the high priority of listening,

00:12:35.519 --> 00:12:38.480
 and then try to entirely limit yourself

00:12:38.480 --> 00:12:39.399
 for a certain duration,

00:12:39.679 --> 00:12:40.899
 maybe even just pick 10 minutes

00:12:40.899 --> 00:12:42.480
 to only asking questions

00:12:42.480 --> 00:12:43.639
 and reiterating their points.

00:12:44.059 --> 00:12:45.340
 Not even putting forth

00:12:45.340 --> 00:12:46.059
 your own perspective

00:12:46.059 --> 00:12:47.980
 or defending your own position

00:12:47.980 --> 00:12:49.600
 for a certain duration.

00:12:49.600 --> 00:12:52.120
 I think there are many people

00:12:52.120 --> 00:12:54.820
 that haven't even had the hope

00:12:54.820 --> 00:12:56.560
 of how well disagreements can go

00:12:56.560 --> 00:12:58.879
 because they've never seen them go well

00:12:58.879 --> 00:13:01.259
 in these criteria.

00:13:02.700 --> 00:13:04.580
 You can disagree

00:13:04.580 --> 00:13:06.420
 and get on the same page with people

00:13:06.420 --> 00:13:08.480
 in such remarkable ways.

00:13:08.879 --> 00:13:10.019
 And I think there's two things

00:13:10.019 --> 00:13:11.420
 that we do advocate

00:13:11.420 --> 00:13:13.019
 whenever we don't do this well.

00:13:13.639 --> 00:13:15.180
 The other person could be right

00:13:15.180 --> 00:13:17.180
 and we might need to be learning from them.

00:13:17.179 --> 00:13:19.979
 And if we have this meekness,

00:13:20.219 --> 00:13:21.399
 it'll produce much fruit.

00:13:21.859 --> 00:13:22.559
 But also,

00:13:23.199 --> 00:13:24.639
 the other person might be wrong

00:13:24.639 --> 00:13:26.579
 and they might need to really hear from us.

00:13:26.899 --> 00:13:28.120
 And we've set them up

00:13:28.120 --> 00:13:31.339
 for having experience of our input

00:13:31.339 --> 00:13:32.399
 not being something

00:13:32.399 --> 00:13:34.120
 that's like the surgeon

00:13:34.120 --> 00:13:34.739
 that just goes ahead

00:13:34.739 --> 00:13:36.179
 and tries to do it without anesthesia.

00:13:36.419 --> 00:13:37.039
 You know what I'm saying?

00:13:37.620 --> 00:13:38.459
 This is of the utmost importance.

00:13:38.799 --> 00:13:40.379
 However important the truth

00:13:40.379 --> 00:13:42.000
 that is under this umbrella

00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:43.120
 of conversation is,

00:13:43.120 --> 00:13:45.299
 our listening should,

00:13:45.500 --> 00:13:46.740
 we should feel like the listening

00:13:46.740 --> 00:13:48.299
 has that same level of priority.

00:13:48.620 --> 00:13:49.259
 Because really,

00:13:49.860 --> 00:13:52.360
 when you come in

00:13:52.360 --> 00:13:55.240
 believing that you're right

00:13:55.240 --> 00:13:58.240
 and advocating for your own position

00:13:58.240 --> 00:14:00.220
 and defending your own position,

00:14:01.080 --> 00:14:02.879
 you automatically put the person

00:14:02.879 --> 00:14:04.860
 in a position of being back on their heels

00:14:04.860 --> 00:14:05.700
 and defending themselves.

00:14:06.000 --> 00:14:08.100
 Which is a horrible, horrible environment.

00:14:08.480 --> 00:14:09.980
 Not only for the Lord to speak,

00:14:10.399 --> 00:14:11.159
 but for us.

00:14:11.539 --> 00:14:12.080
 It's, what is it?

00:14:12.080 --> 00:14:13.520
 It doesn't produce

00:14:13.520 --> 00:14:14.580
 the righteousness of God.

00:14:15.160 --> 00:14:16.740
 It's not building up the body.

00:14:17.360 --> 00:14:18.600
 It's leading to division.

00:14:18.780 --> 00:14:19.500
 And I think that's really

00:14:19.500 --> 00:14:21.200
 the difference in disposition here.

00:14:21.860 --> 00:14:24.420
 One path creates fellowship

00:14:24.420 --> 00:14:25.440
 and creates unity.

00:14:26.040 --> 00:14:28.460
 And another path creates

00:14:28.460 --> 00:14:29.920
 tearing down

00:14:29.920 --> 00:14:31.639
 and even divisiveness.

00:14:31.920 --> 00:14:32.860
 Because we can't listen.

00:14:34.060 --> 00:14:36.080
 I believe that fundamentally

00:14:36.080 --> 00:14:38.680
 listening in the way

00:14:38.680 --> 00:14:39.820
 the Lord calls us to

00:14:39.820 --> 00:14:42.180
 creates an environment

00:14:42.180 --> 00:14:43.640
 where people are able

00:14:43.640 --> 00:14:44.840
 to graciously see

00:14:44.840 --> 00:14:45.940
 how they really are

00:14:45.940 --> 00:14:46.960
 and be eligible

00:14:46.960 --> 00:14:47.860
 for the Lord's input

00:14:47.860 --> 00:14:48.680
 in a very powerful way.

00:14:48.800 --> 00:14:49.680
 This is the environment

00:14:49.680 --> 00:14:51.260
 of speaking the truth in love.

00:14:52.140 --> 00:14:52.960
 The environment

00:14:52.960 --> 00:14:54.280
 that marries grace and truth.

00:14:54.360 --> 00:14:54.860
 It says that

00:14:54.860 --> 00:14:56.000
 Moses brought the law,

00:14:56.060 --> 00:14:57.060
 but Jesus Christ came

00:14:57.060 --> 00:14:58.080
 in grace and truth.

00:14:58.540 --> 00:14:59.960
 There is an environment

00:14:59.960 --> 00:15:01.379
 where we

00:15:01.379 --> 00:15:02.860
 are being meek

00:15:02.860 --> 00:15:03.640
 before the Lord

00:15:03.640 --> 00:15:05.320
 and actually creating

00:15:05.320 --> 00:15:06.080
 a fellowship

00:15:06.080 --> 00:15:06.720
 and connection

00:15:06.720 --> 00:15:08.019
 to the Lord's intervention

00:15:08.019 --> 00:15:11.139
 that makes

00:15:11.139 --> 00:15:12.740
 the Lord's

00:15:12.740 --> 00:15:13.779
 grace

00:15:13.779 --> 00:15:14.899
 be catalyzed

00:15:14.899 --> 00:15:16.960
 by our being

00:15:16.960 --> 00:15:17.759
 more like Him

00:15:17.759 --> 00:15:19.620
 to another person.

00:15:20.019 --> 00:15:20.720
 If that makes sense.

00:15:21.660 --> 00:15:22.680
 Incredibly important.

00:15:23.360 --> 00:15:24.040
 Okay.

00:15:24.540 --> 00:15:26.139
 I'm going to hop on down

00:15:26.139 --> 00:15:26.879
 to verse 21.

00:15:27.379 --> 00:15:27.660
 Therefore,

00:15:28.440 --> 00:15:29.580
 put away all filthiness,

00:15:29.800 --> 00:15:30.560
 rampant wickedness,

00:15:30.600 --> 00:15:31.820
 and receive with meekness

00:15:31.820 --> 00:15:32.899
 the implanted word

00:15:32.899 --> 00:15:33.660
 which is able

00:15:33.660 --> 00:15:34.519
 to save your souls.

00:15:34.519 --> 00:15:36.939
 I believe this is a reference

00:15:36.939 --> 00:15:39.039
 both to the previous paragraph

00:15:39.039 --> 00:15:39.899
 that was talking about

00:15:39.899 --> 00:15:41.840
 desire,

00:15:42.159 --> 00:15:42.879
 giving birth to sin,

00:15:43.079 --> 00:15:43.439
 and sin,

00:15:43.579 --> 00:15:44.340
 giving birth to death.

00:15:44.759 --> 00:15:45.579
 That there's an extent

00:15:45.579 --> 00:15:46.799
 to which things creep up

00:15:46.799 --> 00:15:47.360
 in our hearts

00:15:47.360 --> 00:15:48.299
 and that we need

00:15:48.299 --> 00:15:49.179
 to pull those weeds.

00:15:49.600 --> 00:15:50.579
 But I also think

00:15:50.579 --> 00:15:51.460
 that this is referring

00:15:51.460 --> 00:15:52.039
 to

00:15:52.039 --> 00:15:54.199
 us

00:15:54.199 --> 00:15:55.679
 needing to repent

00:15:55.679 --> 00:15:56.179
 of the things

00:15:56.179 --> 00:15:56.819
 that get in the way

00:15:56.819 --> 00:15:57.840
 of us having this

00:15:57.840 --> 00:15:59.419
 meekness and good listening.

00:15:59.919 --> 00:16:00.939
 Having a disposition

00:16:00.939 --> 00:16:01.620
 of meekness

00:16:01.620 --> 00:16:02.559
 and listening well

00:16:02.559 --> 00:16:03.500
 to other people

00:16:03.500 --> 00:16:04.379
 that actually

00:16:04.379 --> 00:16:05.519
 can be very fruitful

00:16:05.519 --> 00:16:06.919
 and I think

00:16:06.919 --> 00:16:08.620
 even his reference here,

00:16:09.200 --> 00:16:10.460
 able to save your souls,

00:16:10.600 --> 00:16:11.200
 there's an extent

00:16:11.200 --> 00:16:12.159
 to which sanctification

00:16:12.159 --> 00:16:14.139
 is a constant saving

00:16:14.139 --> 00:16:14.659
 of a person

00:16:14.659 --> 00:16:16.279
 from specific things.

00:16:16.799 --> 00:16:17.740
 If you think about it,

00:16:17.779 --> 00:16:18.860
 even in our conversations

00:16:18.860 --> 00:16:19.700
 and disagreements,

00:16:19.860 --> 00:16:20.580
 most of them

00:16:20.580 --> 00:16:21.320
 do pertain

00:16:21.320 --> 00:16:22.559
 to things that are

00:16:22.559 --> 00:16:23.139
 an issue

00:16:23.139 --> 00:16:23.980
 that need to be addressed.

00:16:24.100 --> 00:16:25.179
 There's weeds in real life

00:16:25.179 --> 00:16:25.919
 that need to be pulled.

00:16:26.419 --> 00:16:26.899
 You know what I mean?

00:16:27.139 --> 00:16:28.620
 And we are being sanctified

00:16:28.620 --> 00:16:30.740
 by being continually saved

00:16:30.740 --> 00:16:31.899
 from the many things

00:16:31.899 --> 00:16:32.639
 that beset us.

00:16:32.639 --> 00:16:33.980
 And I believe

00:16:33.980 --> 00:16:35.580
 that this verse here

00:16:35.580 --> 00:16:37.580
 is giving us

00:16:37.580 --> 00:16:38.699
 these two different paths

00:16:38.699 --> 00:16:40.379
 where we defend ourselves

00:16:40.379 --> 00:16:41.600
 and actually tear people down

00:16:41.600 --> 00:16:42.199
 and it doesn't produce

00:16:42.199 --> 00:16:42.980
 righteousness of the Lord

00:16:42.980 --> 00:16:44.659
 or receive with meekness

00:16:44.659 --> 00:16:45.860
 and it produces much fruit

00:16:45.860 --> 00:16:47.100
 and it can even save.

00:16:47.360 --> 00:16:48.220
 What a beautiful thing.

00:16:48.879 --> 00:16:49.580
 That's actually another

00:16:49.580 --> 00:16:51.460
 synonym for sanctification

00:16:51.460 --> 00:16:52.799
 is being saved.

00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:53.580
 Okay?

00:16:53.580 --> 00:16:57.259
 Okay, I'm going to keep on going.

00:16:58.259 --> 00:16:59.240
 Now we're going to switch

00:16:59.240 --> 00:17:00.840
 to a little bit

00:17:00.840 --> 00:17:01.480
 of a different topic

00:17:01.480 --> 00:17:02.379
 but there's actually

00:17:02.379 --> 00:17:03.139
 enormous overlap

00:17:03.139 --> 00:17:04.340
 between these two concepts.

00:17:05.140 --> 00:17:06.180
 Verse 22.

00:17:07.840 --> 00:17:10.779
 But be doers of the word

00:17:10.779 --> 00:17:12.900
 and not hearers only.

00:17:13.740 --> 00:17:14.740
 Deceiving yourselves.

00:17:14.740 --> 00:17:15.740
 So he's talking about

00:17:15.740 --> 00:17:16.759
 hearing and listening

00:17:16.759 --> 00:17:18.500
 and now he's moving to

00:17:18.500 --> 00:17:21.599
 what you learn

00:17:21.599 --> 00:17:22.299
 and know

00:17:22.299 --> 00:17:24.460
 let it be reflected

00:17:24.460 --> 00:17:25.400
 in your life.

00:17:26.099 --> 00:17:26.279
 Okay?

00:17:27.779 --> 00:17:29.579
 But be doers of the word

00:17:29.579 --> 00:17:30.799
 and not hearers only.

00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:31.880
 Deceiving yourself.

00:17:32.559 --> 00:17:32.799
 So,

00:17:33.319 --> 00:17:34.920
 when we know something,

00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:35.980
 when we have learned something

00:17:35.980 --> 00:17:37.039
 but don't live it out,

00:17:37.819 --> 00:17:39.140
 James is calling us deceived.

00:17:39.799 --> 00:17:40.740
 But we are deceived.

00:17:40.740 --> 00:17:41.519
 We are deceived.

00:17:42.059 --> 00:17:42.200
 Okay?

00:17:43.200 --> 00:17:44.640
 Many of the points

00:17:44.640 --> 00:17:45.440
 that James makes

00:17:45.440 --> 00:17:46.359
 over this entire book

00:17:46.359 --> 00:17:47.759
 have to do with

00:17:47.759 --> 00:17:48.960
 what proceeds from us

00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:51.400
 and have to do with

00:17:51.400 --> 00:17:53.420
 us having half of the equation

00:17:53.420 --> 00:17:54.359
 and not the other half

00:17:54.359 --> 00:17:55.279
 and therefore having nothing.

00:17:55.940 --> 00:17:56.819
 So in this regard,

00:17:57.059 --> 00:17:57.539
 he's saying

00:17:57.539 --> 00:17:59.160
 if you have learned

00:17:59.160 --> 00:18:00.079
 but don't live,

00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:00.859
 you're deceived.

00:18:01.440 --> 00:18:01.640
 Okay?

00:18:02.700 --> 00:18:05.120
 He also cares a lot.

00:18:05.259 --> 00:18:06.400
 This is across the book of James,

00:18:06.500 --> 00:18:07.099
 not just here.

00:18:07.579 --> 00:18:08.259
 He cares a lot about

00:18:08.259 --> 00:18:09.519
 what proceeds from us.

00:18:09.519 --> 00:18:11.559
 What we speak

00:18:11.559 --> 00:18:13.019
 and what we do.

00:18:13.900 --> 00:18:15.279
 This is what proceeds from us.

00:18:15.859 --> 00:18:16.500
 What we do

00:18:16.500 --> 00:18:17.139
 and what we speak.

00:18:17.660 --> 00:18:18.420
 James cares a lot

00:18:18.420 --> 00:18:19.019
 about these things.

00:18:19.539 --> 00:18:20.220
 In the same spirit

00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:20.900
 of what Jesus said,

00:18:21.039 --> 00:18:21.940
 it's not what goes in you

00:18:21.940 --> 00:18:22.619
 that defiles you,

00:18:22.660 --> 00:18:23.420
 it's what comes out of you.

00:18:23.859 --> 00:18:24.680
 James is very concerned

00:18:24.680 --> 00:18:25.920
 about what is coming

00:18:25.920 --> 00:18:26.639
 out of you.

00:18:27.779 --> 00:18:28.960
 You're supposedly learning

00:18:28.960 --> 00:18:30.420
 what are you doing?

00:18:30.559 --> 00:18:31.839
 What does your life say

00:18:31.839 --> 00:18:32.420
 you know?

00:18:33.000 --> 00:18:33.859
 Not your words.

00:18:33.859 --> 00:18:34.259
 Okay?

00:18:35.099 --> 00:18:36.379
 Be doers of the word,

00:18:36.500 --> 00:18:37.299
 not hearers only.

00:18:37.819 --> 00:18:38.859
 Last point I want to make.

00:18:38.859 --> 00:18:40.679
 I think N.T. Wright said this,

00:18:41.679 --> 00:18:42.779
 that Christianity

00:18:42.779 --> 00:18:44.039
 is a play

00:18:44.039 --> 00:18:45.119
 that the Lord revealed

00:18:45.119 --> 00:18:46.339
 for us to act out,

00:18:46.779 --> 00:18:47.399
 which is to say

00:18:47.399 --> 00:18:48.459
 Christianity is a lift.

00:18:49.099 --> 00:18:49.259
 Okay?

00:18:49.759 --> 00:18:51.959
 Similar to my intro to James.

00:18:52.279 --> 00:18:53.019
 Wisdom is lift.

00:18:53.119 --> 00:18:54.459
 Well, I think Christianity is lift.

00:18:55.419 --> 00:18:56.259
 James is going to say this

00:18:56.259 --> 00:18:56.819
 a bunch of times.

00:18:57.479 --> 00:18:58.459
 When I was in

00:18:58.459 --> 00:18:59.419
 the conservatory,

00:18:59.799 --> 00:19:01.139
 I was in class

00:19:01.139 --> 00:19:02.719
 with one of the graduate students

00:19:02.719 --> 00:19:03.759
 and he said something to me

00:19:03.759 --> 00:19:04.619
 that stuck out with me

00:19:04.619 --> 00:19:05.599
 because he was actually

00:19:05.599 --> 00:19:06.319
 referring to it.

00:19:06.319 --> 00:19:07.599
 he's a believer.

00:19:08.079 --> 00:19:08.899
 One of the things he said

00:19:08.899 --> 00:19:09.559
 a lot of,

00:19:09.700 --> 00:19:10.619
 in the school I went to,

00:19:10.679 --> 00:19:11.439
 a lot of people would argue

00:19:11.439 --> 00:19:12.039
 about music.

00:19:12.399 --> 00:19:13.939
 There's a lot of criticism

00:19:13.939 --> 00:19:14.579
 and critique.

00:19:14.899 --> 00:19:15.799
 A lot of being

00:19:15.799 --> 00:19:18.019
 in the critical position

00:19:18.019 --> 00:19:18.659
 where you're not

00:19:18.659 --> 00:19:19.899
 the one in the arena.

00:19:20.139 --> 00:19:20.599
 You're the person

00:19:20.599 --> 00:19:21.439
 critiquing the people

00:19:21.439 --> 00:19:21.799
 in the arena.

00:19:22.200 --> 00:19:22.960
 One of the things he said

00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:24.099
 that I thought was very wise

00:19:24.099 --> 00:19:25.039
 is he said,

00:19:25.819 --> 00:19:27.379
 music is not understood

00:19:27.379 --> 00:19:28.299
 in its notation.

00:19:28.639 --> 00:19:29.139
 It's understood

00:19:29.139 --> 00:19:30.000
 in its performance.

00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:32.160
 What he means is,

00:19:32.799 --> 00:19:34.200
 I know how well

00:19:34.200 --> 00:19:35.119
 you know the music

00:19:35.119 --> 00:19:37.079
 when I see you play it.

00:19:38.259 --> 00:19:39.460
 Anybody can just

00:19:39.460 --> 00:19:40.859
 dog on someone.

00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:42.720
 But can you play it?

00:19:43.619 --> 00:19:43.960
 What is it?

00:19:44.059 --> 00:19:45.480
 What are you showing

00:19:45.480 --> 00:19:46.960
 by the way you're playing it?

00:19:47.240 --> 00:19:47.740
 And I think that

00:19:47.740 --> 00:19:48.519
 James is making

00:19:48.519 --> 00:19:49.380
 a similar point here.

00:19:50.140 --> 00:19:51.619
 We don't get

00:19:51.619 --> 00:19:52.539
 any credit

00:19:52.539 --> 00:19:53.160
 in Christianity

00:19:53.160 --> 00:19:54.319
 for knowing the right answers.

00:19:55.039 --> 00:19:55.859
 We get credit

00:19:55.859 --> 00:19:56.460
 for living them out.

00:19:56.460 --> 00:19:58.079
 And I think

00:19:58.079 --> 00:19:58.860
 if there's any

00:19:58.860 --> 00:20:00.180
 one great heresy

00:20:00.180 --> 00:20:03.000
 on the conservative

00:20:03.000 --> 00:20:05.000
 what's called

00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:05.880
 the conservative

00:20:05.880 --> 00:20:08.279
 Protestant side of things,

00:20:08.840 --> 00:20:10.819
 the not liberal

00:20:10.819 --> 00:20:13.059
 holding two historical doctrines,

00:20:13.579 --> 00:20:13.840
 you know,

00:20:13.900 --> 00:20:15.240
 not off our rocker

00:20:15.240 --> 00:20:16.960
 traditional gender roles,

00:20:17.100 --> 00:20:17.759
 all this stuff,

00:20:17.900 --> 00:20:18.620
 the conservative

00:20:18.620 --> 00:20:19.519
 Protestant we,

00:20:20.600 --> 00:20:21.259
 it's by,

00:20:21.539 --> 00:20:22.319
 I think there's

00:20:22.319 --> 00:20:23.360
 any one great area

00:20:23.360 --> 00:20:24.240
 that seems to permeate.

00:20:24.860 --> 00:20:26.400
 It's treating

00:20:26.400 --> 00:20:27.000
 Christianity

00:20:27.000 --> 00:20:28.820
 like a religion

00:20:28.820 --> 00:20:29.680
 that gives you credit

00:20:29.680 --> 00:20:30.780
 for knowing the right answer

00:20:30.780 --> 00:20:32.580
 irregardless of your practice.

00:20:33.900 --> 00:20:34.860
 I think there's a lot

00:20:34.860 --> 00:20:36.060
 of scholarly

00:20:36.060 --> 00:20:38.300
 hearers

00:20:38.300 --> 00:20:40.660
 and not doers,

00:20:40.740 --> 00:20:41.400
 not practitioners

00:20:41.400 --> 00:20:41.940
 of the word,

00:20:42.620 --> 00:20:43.320
 hearers of the word.

00:20:43.759 --> 00:20:44.360
 I think that's what

00:20:44.360 --> 00:20:45.120
 James is talking to here.

00:20:45.280 --> 00:20:46.120
 Maybe not be so.

00:20:47.060 --> 00:20:47.180
 You know,

00:20:47.220 --> 00:20:47.960
 maybe we know

00:20:47.960 --> 00:20:48.700
 we get no credit

00:20:48.700 --> 00:20:49.620
 for having the right answer.

00:20:49.680 --> 00:20:50.040
 He's going to say

00:20:50.040 --> 00:20:50.560
 the same thing

00:20:50.560 --> 00:20:51.600
 when he talks about

00:20:51.600 --> 00:20:52.440
 faith without works,

00:20:52.660 --> 00:20:53.440
 which again,

00:20:53.440 --> 00:20:54.019
 he makes a lot

00:20:54.019 --> 00:20:54.720
 of the same points here.

00:20:55.660 --> 00:20:56.259
 Okay, sorry.

00:20:56.400 --> 00:20:56.940
 That was a long time.

00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:57.360
 One verse.

00:20:57.940 --> 00:20:58.560
 For if anyone

00:20:58.560 --> 00:21:00.480
 is a hearer of a word,

00:21:01.300 --> 00:21:02.340
 hearer of the word,

00:21:03.080 --> 00:21:04.680
 and not a doer,

00:21:05.100 --> 00:21:06.060
 he is like a man

00:21:06.060 --> 00:21:07.140
 who looks intently

00:21:07.140 --> 00:21:08.340
 at his natural face

00:21:08.340 --> 00:21:09.040
 in the mirror,

00:21:10.480 --> 00:21:12.180
 for he looks at himself

00:21:12.180 --> 00:21:13.180
 and goes away

00:21:13.180 --> 00:21:14.800
 and at once forgets

00:21:14.800 --> 00:21:16.120
 what he was like.

00:21:16.840 --> 00:21:17.960
 I always think of this verse,

00:21:18.540 --> 00:21:19.220
 again,

00:21:19.580 --> 00:21:20.280
 fighting with my life.

00:21:20.600 --> 00:21:21.220
 We'll get in fights

00:21:21.220 --> 00:21:22.080
 and a few days later

00:21:22.080 --> 00:21:22.460
 she'll be like,

00:21:22.500 --> 00:21:23.100
 have you thought any more

00:21:23.099 --> 00:21:23.740
 about what we were

00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:24.339
 talking about

00:21:24.339 --> 00:21:25.599
 and I'll be like,

00:21:26.639 --> 00:21:26.919
 ah,

00:21:26.959 --> 00:21:27.779
 what were we talking about?

00:21:28.579 --> 00:21:29.919
 I remember it didn't go well.

00:21:33.319 --> 00:21:34.539
 How unselfaware.

00:21:36.179 --> 00:21:36.759
 Again, guys,

00:21:36.799 --> 00:21:37.579
 I'm not the best example

00:21:37.579 --> 00:21:38.139
 of these things.

00:21:39.439 --> 00:21:39.699
 Okay.

00:21:40.539 --> 00:21:41.379
 For if he looks at himself

00:21:41.379 --> 00:21:42.099
 and goes away

00:21:42.099 --> 00:21:43.159
 and at once forgets

00:21:43.159 --> 00:21:43.699
 what he looks like,

00:21:43.980 --> 00:21:44.719
 but the one,

00:21:45.079 --> 00:21:46.500
 this is where James

00:21:46.500 --> 00:21:47.759
 goes in a very different direction

00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:48.559
 than you would anticipate

00:21:48.559 --> 00:21:49.240
 about someone

00:21:49.240 --> 00:21:50.199
 who's not living out

00:21:50.200 --> 00:21:51.100
 what they believe,

00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:52.500
 he takes it

00:21:52.500 --> 00:21:53.299
 a very different direction.

00:21:53.420 --> 00:21:53.840
 He doesn't say

00:21:53.840 --> 00:21:54.720
 you need to practice more.

00:21:55.519 --> 00:21:56.440
 But the one

00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:57.279
 who looks into

00:21:57.279 --> 00:21:58.279
 the perfect law,

00:21:59.400 --> 00:22:00.720
 the law of liberty

00:22:00.720 --> 00:22:02.440
 and perseveres,

00:22:03.080 --> 00:22:04.380
 being no hearer

00:22:04.380 --> 00:22:05.259
 who forgets,

00:22:05.600 --> 00:22:06.440
 but a doer

00:22:06.440 --> 00:22:07.100
 who acts,

00:22:07.640 --> 00:22:08.779
 he will be blessed

00:22:08.779 --> 00:22:09.640
 in his doing.

00:22:10.180 --> 00:22:10.380
 Okay.

00:22:12.299 --> 00:22:13.840
 There is a mirror

00:22:13.840 --> 00:22:14.980
 that you can look into

00:22:14.980 --> 00:22:15.720
 called liberty.

00:22:16.319 --> 00:22:16.759
 It's called

00:22:16.759 --> 00:22:17.900
 the law of liberty.

00:22:18.580 --> 00:22:19.759
 This is in contrast

00:22:19.759 --> 00:22:20.900
 to the law

00:22:20.900 --> 00:22:21.579
 of Moses

00:22:21.579 --> 00:22:22.379
 that condemns.

00:22:22.839 --> 00:22:23.859
 There is another law

00:22:23.859 --> 00:22:25.039
 that you can look into

00:22:25.039 --> 00:22:27.039
 that shows a reflection

00:22:27.039 --> 00:22:27.960
 of who you are

00:22:27.960 --> 00:22:30.579
 but sets you free.

00:22:31.220 --> 00:22:32.339
 There is a law

00:22:32.339 --> 00:22:33.059
 that is the law

00:22:33.059 --> 00:22:33.480
 of Moses

00:22:33.480 --> 00:22:36.240
 that shows us

00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:37.240
 how wicked we are

00:22:37.240 --> 00:22:38.379
 but gives us

00:22:38.379 --> 00:22:38.859
 no hope.

00:22:39.940 --> 00:22:40.140
 Okay.

00:22:40.599 --> 00:22:41.759
 There is another law

00:22:41.759 --> 00:22:42.839
 called liberty

00:22:42.839 --> 00:22:44.700
 that you can peer into

00:22:44.700 --> 00:22:46.660
 that will set you free.

00:22:47.059 --> 00:22:47.680
 And the kind of freedom

00:22:47.680 --> 00:22:48.379
 I'm talking about

00:22:48.380 --> 00:22:49.100
 is the kind of freedom

00:22:49.100 --> 00:22:49.820
 to where

00:22:49.820 --> 00:22:51.800
 what you believe

00:22:51.800 --> 00:22:53.300
 and what you do

00:22:53.300 --> 00:22:54.400
 and what you love

00:22:54.400 --> 00:22:56.300
 are all unified.

00:22:57.040 --> 00:22:58.000
 That kind of freedom.

00:22:58.480 --> 00:22:59.300
 You're no longer

00:22:59.300 --> 00:23:00.300
 divided against yourself.

00:23:00.420 --> 00:23:01.100
 You're set free.

00:23:01.520 --> 00:23:02.400
 I believe

00:23:02.400 --> 00:23:04.080
 that this law,

00:23:04.400 --> 00:23:05.140
 the law of liberty,

00:23:05.380 --> 00:23:06.780
 is really coming boldly

00:23:06.780 --> 00:23:07.700
 before the throne of grace.

00:23:08.060 --> 00:23:08.860
 I believe

00:23:08.860 --> 00:23:10.460
 that what this is talking about

00:23:10.460 --> 00:23:11.020
 is

00:23:11.020 --> 00:23:12.300
 in Christ

00:23:12.300 --> 00:23:14.520
 we can have

00:23:14.520 --> 00:23:15.400
 so much grace

00:23:15.400 --> 00:23:15.840
 and mercy

00:23:15.840 --> 00:23:16.780
 extended to us

00:23:16.780 --> 00:23:17.680
 that we're able

00:23:17.680 --> 00:23:18.660
 to see ourselves

00:23:18.660 --> 00:23:19.900
 exactly as we are

00:23:19.900 --> 00:23:21.580
 and have no condemnation

00:23:21.580 --> 00:23:22.700
 but actual freedom

00:23:22.700 --> 00:23:23.180
 from our sin.

00:23:23.759 --> 00:23:23.960
 Okay.

00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:25.400
 The big analogy

00:23:25.400 --> 00:23:26.080
 I think of here

00:23:26.080 --> 00:23:27.140
 is one of my favorite scenes.

00:23:27.660 --> 00:23:28.400
 If you guys have seen

00:23:28.400 --> 00:23:29.300
 the musical Les Mis,

00:23:29.299 --> 00:23:31.779
 I love that story

00:23:31.779 --> 00:23:32.819
 but one of the things

00:23:32.819 --> 00:23:33.740
 that's so powerful

00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:34.680
 about that story

00:23:34.680 --> 00:23:35.819
 is

00:23:35.819 --> 00:23:36.680
 he

00:23:36.680 --> 00:23:37.559
 you know

00:23:37.559 --> 00:23:38.960
 the bishop takes him in

00:23:38.960 --> 00:23:39.899
 is caring for him

00:23:39.899 --> 00:23:41.599
 and then he

00:23:41.599 --> 00:23:43.139
 steals from him

00:23:43.139 --> 00:23:44.299
 and even knocks him out

00:23:44.299 --> 00:23:45.359
 so that he can escape

00:23:45.359 --> 00:23:46.700
 and the police catch him

00:23:46.700 --> 00:23:47.379
 bring him back

00:23:47.379 --> 00:23:48.259
 and when he

00:23:48.259 --> 00:23:49.279
 brings him back

00:23:49.279 --> 00:23:52.460
 the bishop tells the police

00:23:52.460 --> 00:23:53.200
 thank you so much

00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:53.960
 for bringing him back

00:23:53.960 --> 00:23:55.799
 you forgot the candlesticks

00:23:55.799 --> 00:23:57.720
 and really

00:23:57.720 --> 00:23:59.019
 this

00:23:59.019 --> 00:24:00.519
 changes his whole life.

00:24:01.000 --> 00:24:01.200
 Why?

00:24:02.200 --> 00:24:03.720
 He saw himself

00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:05.340
 exactly as he was

00:24:05.340 --> 00:24:06.740
 and how much

00:24:06.740 --> 00:24:07.700
 he had wronged this man

00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:08.880
 but he received

00:24:08.880 --> 00:24:09.779
 so much mercy

00:24:09.779 --> 00:24:10.180
 and grace

00:24:10.180 --> 00:24:10.819
 in the midst of it

00:24:10.819 --> 00:24:11.380
 that it literally

00:24:11.380 --> 00:24:11.920
 set him free.

00:24:13.420 --> 00:24:14.740
 He became one man

00:24:14.740 --> 00:24:15.180
 that day.

00:24:15.819 --> 00:24:16.279
 Right?

00:24:16.880 --> 00:24:18.019
 There is a way

00:24:18.019 --> 00:24:18.819
 in which

00:24:18.819 --> 00:24:19.440
 when we first

00:24:19.440 --> 00:24:20.220
 come to the Lord

00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:21.400
 we receive

00:24:21.400 --> 00:24:22.460
 so much

00:24:22.460 --> 00:24:23.180
 grace

00:24:23.180 --> 00:24:24.460
 we experience

00:24:24.460 --> 00:24:24.880
 so much

00:24:24.880 --> 00:24:25.519
 liberty

00:24:25.519 --> 00:24:26.700
 because we can

00:24:26.700 --> 00:24:27.519
 see exactly

00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:28.360
 as we are

00:24:28.360 --> 00:24:29.279
 and not

00:24:29.279 --> 00:24:30.320
 shrink back

00:24:30.320 --> 00:24:31.060
 and become

00:24:31.060 --> 00:24:31.779
 a mess

00:24:31.779 --> 00:24:32.440
 like we would

00:24:32.440 --> 00:24:33.060
 under the law

00:24:33.060 --> 00:24:34.080
 but we actually

00:24:34.080 --> 00:24:34.680
 find ourselves

00:24:34.680 --> 00:24:36.299
 experiencing freedom.

00:24:36.640 --> 00:24:37.299
 When we beat our chest

00:24:37.299 --> 00:24:38.039
 and say forgive me

00:24:38.039 --> 00:24:38.560
 oh God a sinner

00:24:38.560 --> 00:24:39.180
 we actually

00:24:39.180 --> 00:24:40.340
 go away

00:24:40.340 --> 00:24:40.880
 set free.

00:24:42.060 --> 00:24:42.799
 There is

00:24:42.799 --> 00:24:43.500
 a law

00:24:43.500 --> 00:24:44.700
 called liberty

00:24:44.700 --> 00:24:46.060
 that is a mirror

00:24:46.060 --> 00:24:48.360
 that gives us

00:24:48.360 --> 00:24:49.440
 what I would call

00:24:49.440 --> 00:24:52.019
 divine self-awareness.

00:24:52.299 --> 00:24:52.539
 I think

00:24:52.539 --> 00:24:53.680
 divine self-awareness

00:24:53.680 --> 00:24:54.639
 is a Christian ideal.

00:24:55.279 --> 00:24:55.839
 I don't think

00:24:55.839 --> 00:24:56.559
 self-obsession

00:24:56.559 --> 00:24:57.440
 is a Christian ideal

00:24:57.440 --> 00:24:58.759
 and I don't think

00:24:58.759 --> 00:24:59.819
 pretending like

00:24:59.819 --> 00:25:00.619
 our sin doesn't

00:25:00.619 --> 00:25:01.299
 stink that bad

00:25:01.299 --> 00:25:02.379
 is a Christian ideal.

00:25:02.819 --> 00:25:03.460
 I think that

00:25:03.460 --> 00:25:05.200
 because of the cross

00:25:05.200 --> 00:25:06.519
 we can peer

00:25:06.519 --> 00:25:07.339
 and see ourselves

00:25:07.339 --> 00:25:08.879
 exactly as we are

00:25:08.879 --> 00:25:10.480
 and come boldly

00:25:10.480 --> 00:25:10.980
 before the throne

00:25:10.980 --> 00:25:11.339
 of grace

00:25:11.339 --> 00:25:12.639
 and partake

00:25:12.639 --> 00:25:13.539
 of this law.

00:25:13.680 --> 00:25:14.139
 This is like

00:25:14.139 --> 00:25:15.339
 this is not like

00:25:15.339 --> 00:25:16.079
 a law

00:25:16.079 --> 00:25:17.279
 like a bunch of rules

00:25:17.279 --> 00:25:18.240
 this is like

00:25:18.240 --> 00:25:19.180
 a law of the universe.

00:25:19.399 --> 00:25:20.000
 Like this is something

00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:20.500
 like the laws

00:25:20.500 --> 00:25:21.119
 of aerodynamics

00:25:21.119 --> 00:25:22.400
 that keep planes

00:25:22.400 --> 00:25:22.940
 in the air.

00:25:23.339 --> 00:25:23.940
 This is like

00:25:23.940 --> 00:25:24.460
 a law

00:25:24.460 --> 00:25:25.400
 that allows

00:25:25.400 --> 00:25:26.640
 for the train

00:25:26.640 --> 00:25:27.700
 to traverse

00:25:27.700 --> 00:25:29.180
 because of

00:25:29.180 --> 00:25:29.759
 the way

00:25:29.759 --> 00:25:30.660
 that it is able

00:25:30.660 --> 00:25:32.460
 to be fully supported

00:25:32.460 --> 00:25:33.460
 by the steel rails

00:25:33.460 --> 00:25:34.180
 that go under it.

00:25:34.880 --> 00:25:35.940
 This is a law

00:25:35.940 --> 00:25:37.000
 that gives freedom

00:25:37.000 --> 00:25:37.880
 not restriction.

00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:38.579
 We think of a law

00:25:38.579 --> 00:25:39.160
 as restriction

00:25:39.160 --> 00:25:40.119
 but

00:25:40.119 --> 00:25:41.859
 let's say

00:25:41.859 --> 00:25:42.400
 a fish

00:25:42.400 --> 00:25:44.119
 is very thankful

00:25:44.119 --> 00:25:45.680
 for the ability

00:25:45.680 --> 00:25:46.259
 of their

00:25:46.259 --> 00:25:47.059
 gills

00:25:47.059 --> 00:25:47.839
 to

00:25:47.839 --> 00:25:49.099
 be able

00:25:49.099 --> 00:25:49.899
 to interact

00:25:49.899 --> 00:25:51.079
 with the environment

00:25:51.079 --> 00:25:51.639
 and the laws

00:25:51.639 --> 00:25:52.119
 of physics

00:25:52.119 --> 00:25:53.319
 that provide oxygen

00:25:53.319 --> 00:25:54.720
 in the water

00:25:54.720 --> 00:25:56.059
 and the fish

00:25:56.059 --> 00:25:56.599
 is not going

00:25:56.599 --> 00:25:57.159
 to do so well

00:25:57.159 --> 00:25:57.740
 when outside

00:25:57.740 --> 00:25:58.179
 of the water

00:25:58.179 --> 00:25:58.519
 and I think

00:25:58.519 --> 00:25:59.099
 there's an extent

00:25:59.099 --> 00:25:59.440
 to which

00:25:59.440 --> 00:26:00.259
 we as Christians

00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:01.819
 experience

00:26:01.819 --> 00:26:02.899
 great freedom

00:26:02.899 --> 00:26:04.159
 and liberty

00:26:04.159 --> 00:26:05.980
 but then

00:26:05.980 --> 00:26:07.440
 move on

00:26:07.440 --> 00:26:07.879
 from it

00:26:07.879 --> 00:26:09.700
 not wanting

00:26:09.700 --> 00:26:10.419
 to see ourself

00:26:10.419 --> 00:26:10.919
 in our shame

00:26:10.919 --> 00:26:11.799
 if that makes sense.

00:26:12.279 --> 00:26:12.919
 I think a Christian

00:26:12.919 --> 00:26:14.139
 never loses

00:26:14.140 --> 00:26:16.660
 we should never

00:26:16.660 --> 00:26:17.759
 lose the willingness

00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:18.400
 to see ourselves

00:26:18.400 --> 00:26:19.220
 exactly as we are

00:26:19.220 --> 00:26:19.880
 and I think

00:26:19.880 --> 00:26:20.360
 this even comes

00:26:20.360 --> 00:26:20.740
 back around

00:26:20.740 --> 00:26:21.220
 to listening.

00:26:22.000 --> 00:26:22.540
 I think

00:26:22.540 --> 00:26:23.980
 that listening

00:26:23.980 --> 00:26:26.060
 is in the spirit

00:26:26.060 --> 00:26:26.800
 of

00:26:26.800 --> 00:26:28.700
 divine self-awareness

00:26:28.700 --> 00:26:29.060
 let's say

00:26:29.060 --> 00:26:30.000
 an environment

00:26:30.000 --> 00:26:30.460
 of grace

00:26:30.460 --> 00:26:30.800
 where people

00:26:30.800 --> 00:26:31.380
 see how they

00:26:31.380 --> 00:26:31.800
 really are

00:26:31.800 --> 00:26:32.360
 and get freedom

00:26:32.360 --> 00:26:32.759
 from it

00:26:32.759 --> 00:26:34.120
 but I also

00:26:34.120 --> 00:26:34.460
 think

00:26:34.460 --> 00:26:35.120
 even how we

00:26:35.120 --> 00:26:35.480
 are before

00:26:35.480 --> 00:26:36.060
 the Lord

00:26:36.060 --> 00:26:37.140
 has enormous

00:26:37.140 --> 00:26:37.380
 amount

00:26:37.380 --> 00:26:38.020
 to do with this

00:26:38.020 --> 00:26:39.000
 like where

00:26:39.000 --> 00:26:40.200
 is our heart

00:26:40.200 --> 00:26:41.100
 when issues

00:26:41.100 --> 00:26:41.660
 come up

00:26:41.660 --> 00:26:42.360
 when we see

00:26:42.360 --> 00:26:42.780
 ourselves

00:26:42.780 --> 00:26:43.259
 in fault

00:26:43.259 --> 00:26:44.319
 are we defensive

00:26:44.319 --> 00:26:46.019
 or can we

00:26:46.019 --> 00:26:46.839
 see ourselves

00:26:46.839 --> 00:26:47.220
 in the way

00:26:47.220 --> 00:26:47.759
 that the Christ

00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:48.140
 sees us

00:26:48.140 --> 00:26:48.460
 which is

00:26:48.460 --> 00:26:48.740
 everything

00:26:48.740 --> 00:26:49.559
 is paid for

00:26:49.559 --> 00:26:50.160
 and we can

00:26:50.160 --> 00:26:50.599
 actually have

00:26:50.599 --> 00:26:50.839
 freedom

00:26:50.839 --> 00:26:51.460
 and this is

00:26:51.460 --> 00:26:52.059
 again coming

00:26:52.059 --> 00:26:52.400
 back around

00:26:52.400 --> 00:26:52.859
 this idea

00:26:52.859 --> 00:26:53.640
 of the truth

00:26:53.640 --> 00:26:54.220
 will set you

00:26:54.220 --> 00:26:54.480
 free

00:26:54.480 --> 00:26:55.220
 and here's

00:26:55.220 --> 00:26:55.700
 my question

00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:57.200
 is the truth

00:26:57.200 --> 00:26:57.640
 setting

00:26:57.640 --> 00:26:58.640
 the hearer

00:26:58.640 --> 00:26:58.940
 free

00:26:58.940 --> 00:27:00.200
 or the speaker

00:27:00.200 --> 00:27:00.539
 free

00:27:00.539 --> 00:27:01.259
 I believe

00:27:01.259 --> 00:27:01.680
 the truth

00:27:01.680 --> 00:27:02.039
 can set

00:27:02.039 --> 00:27:02.539
 both of them

00:27:02.539 --> 00:27:02.799
 free

00:27:02.799 --> 00:27:06.180
 sometimes

00:27:06.180 --> 00:27:06.879
 you need

00:27:06.879 --> 00:27:07.299
 to speak

00:27:07.299 --> 00:27:07.799
 the truth

00:27:07.799 --> 00:27:08.740
 and confess

00:27:08.740 --> 00:27:09.160
 what's going

00:27:09.160 --> 00:27:09.559
 on in your

00:27:09.559 --> 00:27:09.839
 life

00:27:09.839 --> 00:27:10.660
 and sometimes

00:27:10.660 --> 00:27:11.019
 you need

00:27:11.019 --> 00:27:11.460
 to graciously

00:27:11.460 --> 00:27:12.099
 speak the truth

00:27:12.099 --> 00:27:12.420
 to someone

00:27:12.420 --> 00:27:12.599
 else

00:27:12.599 --> 00:27:12.859
 that they

00:27:12.859 --> 00:27:13.179
 might be

00:27:13.179 --> 00:27:13.399
 free

00:27:13.399 --> 00:27:14.219
 and I

00:27:14.219 --> 00:27:14.500
 think the

00:27:14.500 --> 00:27:14.699
 truth

00:27:14.699 --> 00:27:15.039
 can set

00:27:15.039 --> 00:27:15.359
 both of

00:27:15.359 --> 00:27:15.679
 those people

00:27:15.679 --> 00:27:15.959
 free

00:27:15.959 --> 00:27:16.719
 and I

00:27:16.719 --> 00:27:16.919
 think

00:27:16.919 --> 00:27:17.559
 what makes

00:27:17.559 --> 00:27:18.139
 the truth

00:27:18.139 --> 00:27:19.559
 what is it

00:27:19.559 --> 00:27:20.799
 what makes

00:27:20.799 --> 00:27:21.240
 the truth

00:27:21.240 --> 00:27:22.099
 surgically

00:27:22.099 --> 00:27:22.639
 effective

00:27:22.639 --> 00:27:24.539
 is grace

00:27:24.539 --> 00:27:24.959
 and listening

00:27:24.959 --> 00:27:25.819
 and how those

00:27:25.819 --> 00:27:26.339
 things overlap

00:27:26.339 --> 00:27:27.240
 okay

00:27:27.240 --> 00:27:28.379
 I think there's

00:27:28.379 --> 00:27:29.679
 some divine

00:27:29.679 --> 00:27:30.559
 self-awareness

00:27:30.559 --> 00:27:31.699
 that is transformative

00:27:31.699 --> 00:27:32.659
 for relationships

00:27:32.659 --> 00:27:34.740
 both husband

00:27:34.740 --> 00:27:35.139
 and wife

00:27:35.139 --> 00:27:35.539
 let's say

00:27:35.539 --> 00:27:36.099
 but also

00:27:36.099 --> 00:27:36.500
 with the Lord

00:27:36.500 --> 00:27:37.059
 it's a very

00:27:37.059 --> 00:27:37.659
 powerful thing

00:27:37.660 --> 00:27:40.340
 all right

00:27:40.340 --> 00:27:42.640
 thank you

00:27:42.640 --> 00:27:43.060
 he can tell

00:27:43.060 --> 00:27:44.360
 my mouth

00:27:44.360 --> 00:27:45.000
 is very dry

00:27:45.000 --> 00:27:48.420
 I almost

00:27:48.420 --> 00:27:48.960
 I meant to

00:27:48.960 --> 00:27:49.300
 bring some

00:27:49.300 --> 00:27:49.720
 water up

00:27:49.720 --> 00:27:50.140
 thanks Sam

00:27:50.140 --> 00:27:51.400
 all right

00:27:51.400 --> 00:27:52.940
 I'm bringing

00:27:52.940 --> 00:27:53.560
 this full circle

00:27:53.560 --> 00:27:54.200
 and this plane

00:27:54.200 --> 00:27:55.000
 all right

00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:56.779
 verse 26

00:27:56.779 --> 00:27:58.779
 if anyone

00:27:58.779 --> 00:27:59.519
 thinks he

00:27:59.519 --> 00:28:00.480
 is religious

00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:02.079
 and does

00:28:02.079 --> 00:28:02.980
 not bridle

00:28:02.980 --> 00:28:03.539
 his tongue

00:28:03.539 --> 00:28:04.839
 but deceives

00:28:04.839 --> 00:28:05.379
 his heart

00:28:05.379 --> 00:28:07.279
 this person's

00:28:07.279 --> 00:28:07.799
 religion

00:28:07.799 --> 00:28:09.399
 is worthless

00:28:09.400 --> 00:28:11.519
 what are you

00:28:11.519 --> 00:28:11.860
 talking about

00:28:11.860 --> 00:28:12.080
 James

00:28:12.080 --> 00:28:12.540
 I thought

00:28:12.540 --> 00:28:13.019
 Christianity

00:28:13.019 --> 00:28:13.820
 is a relationship

00:28:13.820 --> 00:28:14.720
 not a religion

00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:20.720
 sorry I had

00:28:20.720 --> 00:28:21.340
 to say that

00:28:21.340 --> 00:28:25.660
 James is

00:28:25.660 --> 00:28:26.340
 referring to

00:28:26.340 --> 00:28:26.740
 Christianity

00:28:26.740 --> 00:28:27.420
 as a religion

00:28:27.420 --> 00:28:27.940
 okay

00:28:27.940 --> 00:28:28.980
 he's meaning

00:28:28.980 --> 00:28:29.480
 religion

00:28:29.480 --> 00:28:30.360
 in the capital

00:28:30.360 --> 00:28:31.040
 R sense

00:28:31.040 --> 00:28:32.320
 what is the

00:28:32.320 --> 00:28:33.180
 most important

00:28:33.180 --> 00:28:33.960
 and meaningful

00:28:33.960 --> 00:28:35.240
 metaphysical

00:28:35.240 --> 00:28:35.880
 reality

00:28:35.880 --> 00:28:36.519
 of all of

00:28:36.519 --> 00:28:36.840
 life

00:28:36.840 --> 00:28:38.019
 what is God

00:28:38.019 --> 00:28:38.519
 like and how

00:28:38.519 --> 00:28:38.900
 does he want

00:28:38.900 --> 00:28:39.380
 you to live

00:28:39.380 --> 00:28:41.080
 Christianity

00:28:41.080 --> 00:28:41.580
 is a true

00:28:41.580 --> 00:28:41.940
 religion

00:28:41.940 --> 00:28:42.840
 it is the

00:28:42.840 --> 00:28:43.520
 true religion

00:28:43.520 --> 00:28:44.680
 and James

00:28:44.680 --> 00:28:45.000
 is saying

00:28:45.000 --> 00:28:45.560
 if anyone

00:28:45.560 --> 00:28:46.140
 thinks

00:28:46.140 --> 00:28:47.680
 he's

00:28:47.680 --> 00:28:48.320
 participating

00:28:48.320 --> 00:28:48.980
 in the true

00:28:48.980 --> 00:28:49.280
 religion

00:28:49.280 --> 00:28:49.720
 let's say

00:28:49.720 --> 00:28:50.940
 and does

00:28:50.940 --> 00:28:51.620
 not bridle

00:28:51.620 --> 00:28:52.280
 his tongue

00:28:52.280 --> 00:28:54.560
 but deceives

00:28:54.560 --> 00:28:55.080
 his heart

00:28:55.080 --> 00:28:57.080
 this person's

00:28:57.080 --> 00:28:57.780
 religion

00:28:57.780 --> 00:28:59.060
 is worthless

00:28:59.060 --> 00:29:00.040
 James is going

00:29:00.040 --> 00:29:00.400
 to say a lot

00:29:00.400 --> 00:29:00.800
 of things like

00:29:00.800 --> 00:29:01.080
 this

00:29:01.080 --> 00:29:02.100
 James

00:29:02.100 --> 00:29:02.760
 probably

00:29:02.760 --> 00:29:03.340
 maybe more

00:29:03.340 --> 00:29:03.800
 than any

00:29:03.800 --> 00:29:04.380
 other author

00:29:04.380 --> 00:29:05.500
 in the

00:29:05.500 --> 00:29:06.240
 all of

00:29:06.240 --> 00:29:06.480
 scripture

00:29:06.480 --> 00:29:08.360
 has the

00:29:08.360 --> 00:29:09.140
 most things

00:29:09.140 --> 00:29:09.640
 to say

00:29:09.640 --> 00:29:10.340
 about being

00:29:10.340 --> 00:29:10.700
 careful

00:29:10.700 --> 00:29:11.100
 about what

00:29:11.100 --> 00:29:11.580
 you speak

00:29:11.580 --> 00:29:13.060
 I can't

00:29:13.060 --> 00:29:13.280
 think of

00:29:13.280 --> 00:29:13.780
 another author

00:29:13.780 --> 00:29:14.680
 that brings

00:29:14.680 --> 00:29:15.280
 up being

00:29:15.280 --> 00:29:15.840
 careful about

00:29:15.840 --> 00:29:16.100
 what you

00:29:16.100 --> 00:29:16.480
 speak as

00:29:16.480 --> 00:29:16.780
 much as

00:29:16.780 --> 00:29:17.240
 James does

00:29:17.240 --> 00:29:18.840
 if you

00:29:18.840 --> 00:29:19.360
 do not

00:29:19.360 --> 00:29:19.740
 bridle

00:29:19.740 --> 00:29:20.280
 your tongue

00:29:20.280 --> 00:29:21.520
 also

00:29:21.520 --> 00:29:22.040
 coming back

00:29:22.040 --> 00:29:22.520
 to listening

00:29:22.520 --> 00:29:23.700
 the thing

00:29:23.700 --> 00:29:24.040
 that gets

00:29:24.040 --> 00:29:24.300
 us in

00:29:24.300 --> 00:29:24.560
 trouble

00:29:24.560 --> 00:29:25.200
 is not

00:29:25.200 --> 00:29:25.600
 being able

00:29:25.600 --> 00:29:25.980
 to bridle

00:29:25.980 --> 00:29:26.340
 our tongue

00:29:26.339 --> 00:29:27.339
 right

00:29:27.339 --> 00:29:28.740
 how many

00:29:28.740 --> 00:29:28.959
 things

00:29:28.959 --> 00:29:29.179
 this is

00:29:29.179 --> 00:29:29.500
 actually a

00:29:29.500 --> 00:29:29.779
 good thing

00:29:29.779 --> 00:29:30.039
 for you

00:29:30.039 --> 00:29:30.299
 guys to

00:29:30.299 --> 00:29:30.759
 even remember

00:29:30.759 --> 00:29:31.299
 even for

00:29:31.299 --> 00:29:31.599
 our own

00:29:31.599 --> 00:29:31.879
 parents

00:29:31.879 --> 00:29:33.559
 the things

00:29:33.559 --> 00:29:34.199
 that most

00:29:34.199 --> 00:29:34.839
 wounded us

00:29:34.839 --> 00:29:35.259
 about our

00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:35.699
 parents

00:29:35.699 --> 00:29:38.699
 was it

00:29:38.699 --> 00:29:39.059
 what they

00:29:39.059 --> 00:29:39.519
 did

00:29:39.519 --> 00:29:40.539
 or was it

00:29:40.539 --> 00:29:40.839
 what they

00:29:40.839 --> 00:29:41.319
 said

00:29:41.319 --> 00:29:42.220
 I think

00:29:42.220 --> 00:29:43.000
 often times

00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:43.319
 the most

00:29:43.319 --> 00:29:43.679
 wounding

00:29:43.679 --> 00:29:44.079
 things a

00:29:44.079 --> 00:29:44.279
 parent

00:29:44.279 --> 00:29:44.959
 ever do

00:29:44.959 --> 00:29:45.339
 is the

00:29:45.339 --> 00:29:45.679
 things that

00:29:45.679 --> 00:29:46.299
 they say

00:29:46.299 --> 00:29:46.639
 with

00:29:46.639 --> 00:29:47.199
 unbridled

00:29:47.199 --> 00:29:47.480
 tongue

00:29:47.480 --> 00:29:50.480
 there's other

00:29:50.480 --> 00:29:50.919
 things too

00:29:50.919 --> 00:29:51.279
 that make a

00:29:51.279 --> 00:29:51.799
 huge impact

00:29:51.799 --> 00:29:52.799
 abandoning a

00:29:52.799 --> 00:29:53.000
 child

00:29:53.000 --> 00:29:53.399
 things like

00:29:53.400 --> 00:29:53.680
 this

00:29:53.680 --> 00:29:54.280
 I think

00:29:54.280 --> 00:29:54.540
 one of the

00:29:54.540 --> 00:29:55.120
 most relatable

00:29:55.120 --> 00:29:56.180
 failures as a

00:29:56.180 --> 00:29:56.440
 parent

00:29:56.440 --> 00:29:57.720
 is speaking

00:29:57.720 --> 00:29:58.080
 to their

00:29:58.080 --> 00:29:58.560
 children with

00:29:58.560 --> 00:29:59.200
 the unbridled

00:29:59.200 --> 00:29:59.480
 tongue

00:29:59.480 --> 00:30:01.460
 how much

00:30:01.460 --> 00:30:01.720
 do we do

00:30:01.720 --> 00:30:01.940
 that to

00:30:01.940 --> 00:30:02.160
 others

00:30:02.160 --> 00:30:02.940
 how much

00:30:02.940 --> 00:30:03.160
 do I do

00:30:03.160 --> 00:30:03.320
 that

00:30:03.320 --> 00:30:03.640
 I just

00:30:03.640 --> 00:30:03.880
 do that

00:30:03.880 --> 00:30:04.280
 on Thursday

00:30:04.280 --> 00:30:05.780
 sorry babe

00:30:05.780 --> 00:30:07.800
 all right

00:30:07.800 --> 00:30:09.420
 verse 27

00:30:09.420 --> 00:30:11.340
 religion that

00:30:11.340 --> 00:30:12.040
 is pure

00:30:12.040 --> 00:30:13.000
 and undefiled

00:30:13.000 --> 00:30:13.620
 before God

00:30:13.620 --> 00:30:14.120
 the Father

00:30:14.120 --> 00:30:14.940
 is this

00:30:14.940 --> 00:30:17.960
 to visit

00:30:17.960 --> 00:30:18.640
 orphans and

00:30:18.640 --> 00:30:19.400
 widows in

00:30:19.400 --> 00:30:19.940
 their affliction

00:30:19.940 --> 00:30:21.259
 and to keep

00:30:21.259 --> 00:30:22.280
 oneself unstained

00:30:22.280 --> 00:30:22.600
 from the

00:30:22.600 --> 00:30:22.840
 world

00:30:22.839 --> 00:30:23.519
 one of the

00:30:23.519 --> 00:30:23.819
 reasons I

00:30:23.819 --> 00:30:24.179
 love this

00:30:24.179 --> 00:30:25.359
 verse is

00:30:25.359 --> 00:30:26.480
 he is

00:30:26.480 --> 00:30:27.359
 talking about

00:30:27.359 --> 00:30:28.359
 what

00:30:28.359 --> 00:30:28.919
 Christianity

00:30:28.919 --> 00:30:29.799
 is which

00:30:29.799 --> 00:30:30.079
 is the

00:30:30.079 --> 00:30:30.240
 Lord

00:30:30.240 --> 00:30:31.039
 fundamentally

00:30:31.039 --> 00:30:31.939
 confronting

00:30:31.939 --> 00:30:33.240
 the orphan

00:30:33.240 --> 00:30:33.819
 nature of

00:30:33.819 --> 00:30:34.199
 humanity

00:30:34.199 --> 00:30:35.240
 and welcoming

00:30:35.240 --> 00:30:35.740
 them into

00:30:35.740 --> 00:30:36.220
 the father

00:30:36.220 --> 00:30:37.179
 into the

00:30:37.179 --> 00:30:38.039
 family of

00:30:38.039 --> 00:30:38.240
 God

00:30:38.240 --> 00:30:38.740
 okay

00:30:38.740 --> 00:30:39.480
 that is

00:30:39.480 --> 00:30:39.619
 what

00:30:39.619 --> 00:30:40.019
 Christianity

00:30:40.019 --> 00:30:40.559
 is we

00:30:40.559 --> 00:30:41.019
 are all

00:30:41.019 --> 00:30:42.000
 orphans

00:30:42.000 --> 00:30:42.579
 and the

00:30:42.579 --> 00:30:42.819
 Lord has

00:30:42.819 --> 00:30:43.119
 come for

00:30:43.119 --> 00:30:43.359
 us

00:30:43.359 --> 00:30:43.720
 right

00:30:43.720 --> 00:30:46.319
 when we

00:30:46.319 --> 00:30:46.980
 are transformed

00:30:46.980 --> 00:30:47.399
 by the

00:30:47.399 --> 00:30:47.779
 gospel

00:30:47.779 --> 00:30:49.019
 one of the

00:30:49.019 --> 00:30:49.500
 implications

00:30:49.500 --> 00:30:50.039
 of that

00:30:50.039 --> 00:30:51.359
 is our

00:30:51.359 --> 00:30:51.839
 relationship

00:30:51.839 --> 00:30:52.579
 to this

00:30:52.579 --> 00:30:52.899
 kind of

00:30:52.899 --> 00:30:53.159
 issue

00:30:53.159 --> 00:30:54.240
 the issue

00:30:54.240 --> 00:30:54.720
 of family

00:30:54.720 --> 00:30:55.379
 the issue

00:30:55.379 --> 00:30:55.919
 of orphans

00:30:55.919 --> 00:30:56.459
 the issue

00:30:56.459 --> 00:30:56.980
 of widows

00:30:56.980 --> 00:30:57.980
 and there

00:30:57.980 --> 00:30:58.500
 is something

00:30:58.500 --> 00:30:59.139
 that the

00:30:59.139 --> 00:30:59.439
 Lord is

00:30:59.439 --> 00:30:59.959
 producing in

00:30:59.959 --> 00:31:01.039
 us that

00:31:01.039 --> 00:31:01.599
 is a

00:31:01.599 --> 00:31:02.119
 transformation

00:31:02.119 --> 00:31:02.639
 of the

00:31:02.639 --> 00:31:02.899
 heart

00:31:02.899 --> 00:31:04.240
 that believes

00:31:04.240 --> 00:31:05.559
 in the

00:31:05.559 --> 00:31:06.899
 power of

00:31:06.899 --> 00:31:08.000
 the Lord's

00:31:08.000 --> 00:31:08.559
 kingdom

00:31:08.559 --> 00:31:09.220
 the Lord's

00:31:09.220 --> 00:31:09.720
 family

00:31:09.720 --> 00:31:11.500
 advancing

00:31:11.500 --> 00:31:12.319
 okay

00:31:12.319 --> 00:31:13.259
 and I

00:31:13.259 --> 00:31:13.659
 believe

00:31:13.659 --> 00:31:14.220
 that

00:31:14.220 --> 00:31:15.740
 to visit

00:31:15.740 --> 00:31:16.480
 orphans and

00:31:16.480 --> 00:31:17.299
 widows in

00:31:17.299 --> 00:31:17.839
 their affliction

00:31:17.839 --> 00:31:18.459
 is another

00:31:18.459 --> 00:31:18.740
 way of

00:31:18.740 --> 00:31:19.039
 saying

00:31:19.039 --> 00:31:21.059
 there are

00:31:21.059 --> 00:31:21.740
 people that

00:31:21.740 --> 00:31:22.819
 experience great

00:31:22.819 --> 00:31:23.319
 suffering

00:31:23.319 --> 00:31:24.779
 they're orphaned

00:31:24.779 --> 00:31:25.259
 and widowed

00:31:25.259 --> 00:31:26.559
 and those are

00:31:26.559 --> 00:31:27.079
 the people that

00:31:27.079 --> 00:31:27.459
 the gospel

00:31:27.459 --> 00:31:28.539
 pertains most

00:31:28.539 --> 00:31:29.419
 evidently to

00:31:29.419 --> 00:31:29.939
 you know what I

00:31:29.939 --> 00:31:30.099
 mean

00:31:30.099 --> 00:31:30.779
 I think actually

00:31:30.779 --> 00:31:31.240
 this is another

00:31:31.240 --> 00:31:31.779
 irony of the

00:31:31.779 --> 00:31:32.059
 gospel

00:31:32.059 --> 00:31:33.240
 sometimes it can

00:31:33.240 --> 00:31:33.839
 be tempted when

00:31:33.839 --> 00:31:34.319
 we're trying to

00:31:34.319 --> 00:31:35.039
 preach the gospel

00:31:35.039 --> 00:31:36.099
 to look to

00:31:36.099 --> 00:31:36.959
 preach to people

00:31:36.959 --> 00:31:37.500
 who have their

00:31:37.500 --> 00:31:38.079
 life together

00:31:38.079 --> 00:31:39.139
 when the people

00:31:39.139 --> 00:31:39.779
 who are actually

00:31:39.779 --> 00:31:40.459
 most accessible

00:31:40.459 --> 00:31:41.519
 to it are the

00:31:41.519 --> 00:31:41.980
 people who are

00:31:41.980 --> 00:31:42.899
 hot messes

00:31:42.899 --> 00:31:43.379
 you know what I

00:31:43.379 --> 00:31:43.539
 mean

00:31:43.539 --> 00:31:44.500
 this is even in

00:31:44.500 --> 00:31:45.099
 part what the

00:31:45.099 --> 00:31:46.459
 parable of the

00:31:46.460 --> 00:31:47.180
 wedding feast is

00:31:47.180 --> 00:31:48.720
 where we invite

00:31:48.720 --> 00:31:49.539
 all the friends

00:31:49.539 --> 00:31:49.980
 of the family

00:31:49.980 --> 00:31:50.539
 and they don't

00:31:50.539 --> 00:31:51.519
 come but then

00:31:51.519 --> 00:31:52.000
 we go out to

00:31:52.000 --> 00:31:52.620
 the street and

00:31:52.620 --> 00:31:53.000
 invite the

00:31:53.000 --> 00:31:53.440
 homeless and

00:31:53.440 --> 00:31:54.000
 they all come

00:31:54.000 --> 00:31:54.900
 there's an

00:31:54.900 --> 00:31:55.519
 extent to which

00:31:55.519 --> 00:31:56.079
 again this

00:31:56.079 --> 00:31:56.880
 pertains to us

00:31:56.880 --> 00:31:57.759
 as evangelists

00:31:57.759 --> 00:32:01.539
 we should be

00:32:01.539 --> 00:32:02.039
 looking for

00:32:02.039 --> 00:32:03.400
 people who

00:32:03.400 --> 00:32:03.960
 are hungry for

00:32:03.960 --> 00:32:04.340
 the gospel

00:32:04.340 --> 00:32:06.240
 not just people

00:32:06.240 --> 00:32:06.940
 who don't look

00:32:06.940 --> 00:32:07.720
 like a huge

00:32:07.720 --> 00:32:08.319
 piece of work

00:32:08.319 --> 00:32:09.160
 because most

00:32:09.160 --> 00:32:09.600
 of the people

00:32:09.600 --> 00:32:10.740
 who receive the

00:32:10.740 --> 00:32:11.600
 gospel the best

00:32:11.600 --> 00:32:13.440
 are a huge

00:32:13.440 --> 00:32:13.900
 piece of work

00:32:13.900 --> 00:32:15.380
 the orphans

00:32:15.380 --> 00:32:15.819
 and the widows

00:32:15.819 --> 00:32:16.500
 you know what

00:32:16.500 --> 00:32:16.740
 I'm saying

00:32:16.740 --> 00:32:18.299
 liability

00:32:18.299 --> 00:32:20.099
 liability

00:32:20.099 --> 00:32:20.779
 persons

00:32:20.779 --> 00:32:23.399
 just like us

00:32:23.399 --> 00:32:25.319
 and then he

00:32:25.319 --> 00:32:25.839
 says and to

00:32:25.839 --> 00:32:26.579
 keep oneself

00:32:26.579 --> 00:32:27.339
 unstained from

00:32:27.339 --> 00:32:27.700
 the world

00:32:27.700 --> 00:32:28.379
 which I guess

00:32:28.379 --> 00:32:29.460
 I think too

00:32:29.460 --> 00:32:31.119
 one of the

00:32:31.119 --> 00:32:31.759
 great dilemmas

00:32:31.759 --> 00:32:33.279
 in being a

00:32:33.279 --> 00:32:34.079
 Christian is

00:32:34.079 --> 00:32:34.859
 being in the

00:32:34.859 --> 00:32:35.579
 world but not

00:32:35.579 --> 00:32:36.039
 of the world

00:32:36.039 --> 00:32:36.619
 you know what

00:32:36.619 --> 00:32:36.799
 I mean

00:32:36.799 --> 00:32:37.779
 even as we

00:32:37.779 --> 00:32:38.220
 go forth

00:32:38.220 --> 00:32:38.980
 being in a

00:32:38.980 --> 00:32:39.439
 position where

00:32:39.439 --> 00:32:39.879
 you maintain

00:32:39.879 --> 00:32:41.179
 influence and

00:32:41.179 --> 00:32:41.759
 honor before the

00:32:41.759 --> 00:32:41.960
 Lord

00:32:41.960 --> 00:32:44.059
 but don't get

00:32:44.059 --> 00:32:44.779
 like caught in

00:32:44.779 --> 00:32:45.579
 the snares of

00:32:45.579 --> 00:32:45.980
 this world

00:32:45.980 --> 00:32:48.680
 it's a beautiful

00:32:48.680 --> 00:32:48.980
 thing

00:32:48.980 --> 00:32:49.720
 it's a beautiful

00:32:49.720 --> 00:32:50.440
 thing that we

00:32:50.440 --> 00:32:50.960
 could navigate

00:32:50.960 --> 00:32:51.460
 this world

00:32:51.460 --> 00:32:52.399
 and be unstained

00:32:52.399 --> 00:32:52.799
 by it

00:32:52.799 --> 00:32:53.819
 that's what

00:32:53.819 --> 00:32:54.619
 the Lord is

00:32:54.619 --> 00:32:58.220
 so just in

00:32:58.220 --> 00:32:58.539
 summary

00:32:58.539 --> 00:33:00.359
 I think

00:33:00.359 --> 00:33:00.940
 that

00:33:00.940 --> 00:33:02.559
 listening

00:33:02.559 --> 00:33:04.200
 and having

00:33:04.200 --> 00:33:07.539
 let's call it

00:33:07.539 --> 00:33:08.839
 divine

00:33:08.839 --> 00:33:10.039
 self-awareness

00:33:10.039 --> 00:33:11.779
 these are

00:33:11.779 --> 00:33:12.599
 incredibly

00:33:12.599 --> 00:33:13.980
 important things

00:33:13.980 --> 00:33:14.559
 by way of

00:33:14.559 --> 00:33:15.279
 living a wise

00:33:15.279 --> 00:33:16.019
 Christian life

00:33:16.019 --> 00:33:16.720
 and there are

00:33:16.720 --> 00:33:17.259
 also things

00:33:17.259 --> 00:33:18.420
 that there is

00:33:18.420 --> 00:33:19.180
 so much

00:33:19.180 --> 00:33:20.500
 of our life

00:33:20.500 --> 00:33:20.960
 that can

00:33:20.960 --> 00:33:21.259
 become

00:33:21.259 --> 00:33:22.480
 untangled

00:33:22.480 --> 00:33:24.259
 whenever

00:33:24.259 --> 00:33:25.460
 the Lord

00:33:25.460 --> 00:33:25.879
 builds us

00:33:25.879 --> 00:33:26.259
 up in these

00:33:26.259 --> 00:33:26.460
 things

00:33:26.460 --> 00:33:27.440
 there's so

00:33:27.440 --> 00:33:27.700
 many

00:33:27.700 --> 00:33:30.159
 issues

00:33:30.159 --> 00:33:30.720
 in our

00:33:30.720 --> 00:33:31.039
 marriages

00:33:31.039 --> 00:33:31.460
 and even

00:33:31.460 --> 00:33:31.740
 with our

00:33:31.740 --> 00:33:32.000
 kids

00:33:32.000 --> 00:33:32.420
 that need

00:33:32.420 --> 00:33:32.639
 to be

00:33:32.639 --> 00:33:33.119
 reconciled

00:33:33.119 --> 00:33:33.379
 by way

00:33:33.379 --> 00:33:33.779
 of listening

00:33:33.779 --> 00:33:34.659
 and there's

00:33:34.659 --> 00:33:34.899
 so many

00:33:34.899 --> 00:33:35.200
 things in

00:33:35.200 --> 00:33:35.420
 our own

00:33:35.420 --> 00:33:35.619
 heart

00:33:35.619 --> 00:33:35.920
 that we're

00:33:35.920 --> 00:33:36.299
 perhaps

00:33:36.299 --> 00:33:36.879
 burying

00:33:36.880 --> 00:33:37.700
 by way

00:33:37.700 --> 00:33:37.880
 of

00:33:37.880 --> 00:33:38.920
 hiding

00:33:38.920 --> 00:33:39.520
 from the

00:33:39.520 --> 00:33:39.760
 light

00:33:39.760 --> 00:33:40.580
 I think

00:33:40.580 --> 00:33:40.820
 that in

00:33:40.820 --> 00:33:41.000
 a lot

00:33:41.000 --> 00:33:41.200
 of ways

00:33:41.200 --> 00:33:41.540
 what he's

00:33:41.540 --> 00:33:41.740
 saying

00:33:41.740 --> 00:33:42.100
 is we

00:33:42.100 --> 00:33:42.300
 should

00:33:42.300 --> 00:33:42.640
 live

00:33:42.640 --> 00:33:43.020
 in the

00:33:43.020 --> 00:33:43.280
 light

00:33:43.280 --> 00:33:44.740
 you can

00:33:44.740 --> 00:33:45.300
 receive a

00:33:45.300 --> 00:33:45.560
 lot of

00:33:45.560 --> 00:33:45.800
 grace

00:33:45.800 --> 00:33:46.140
 from the

00:33:46.140 --> 00:33:46.400
 Lord

00:33:46.400 --> 00:33:47.840
 such that

00:33:47.840 --> 00:33:48.620
 you believe

00:33:48.620 --> 00:33:49.240
 in the

00:33:49.240 --> 00:33:49.940
 power of

00:33:49.940 --> 00:33:50.320
 the light

00:33:50.320 --> 00:33:50.800
 to deliver

00:33:50.800 --> 00:33:51.980
 I think

00:33:51.980 --> 00:33:52.620
 living in

00:33:52.620 --> 00:33:53.040
 the light

00:33:53.040 --> 00:33:53.620
 and the

00:33:53.620 --> 00:33:53.900
 law of

00:33:53.900 --> 00:33:54.120
 liberty

00:33:54.120 --> 00:33:54.440
 are the

00:33:54.440 --> 00:33:54.620
 same

00:33:54.620 --> 00:33:54.880
 thing

00:33:54.880 --> 00:33:56.440
 I think

00:33:56.440 --> 00:33:56.640
 that's

00:33:56.640 --> 00:33:56.960
 what the

00:33:56.960 --> 00:33:57.240
 Lord's

00:33:57.240 --> 00:33:57.540
 willing to

00:33:57.540 --> 00:33:57.820
 set us

00:33:57.820 --> 00:33:58.000
 free

00:33:58.000 --> 00:33:58.200
 into

00:33:58.200 --> 00:33:59.400
 so I'm

00:33:59.400 --> 00:33:59.480
 going to

00:33:59.480 --> 00:33:59.740
 go ahead

00:33:59.740 --> 00:34:00.260
 and close

00:34:00.260 --> 00:34:00.640
 in prayer